The time limitation on prosecution for hiding a corpse, the official text

2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE
LRB-4372/1
MJW:ajk&cdc

2025 SENATE BILL 423
September 12, 2025 - Introduced by Senators Wanggaard, Jacque, Marklein and Nass, cosponsored by Representatives Tusler, Behnke, Dittrich, Kreibich, Melotik, Murphy, Mursau, O'Connor, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Wichgers and Kaufert. Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.

An Act to create 939.74 (2) (ap) of the statutes; relating to: the time limitation on prosecution for hiding a corpse.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, with certain exceptions, a prosecution for a felony generally must be commenced within six years of the date the crime was committed. This includes the crime of hiding or burying a corpse with intent to conceal a crime or avoid apprehension, prosecution, or conviction for a crime.
This bill provides that, for the crime of hiding or burying a corpse with intent to conceal a crime or avoid apprehension, prosecution, or conviction for a crime, the prosecution may be commenced within six years of the commission of the crime or within six years of the discovery or identification of the corpse, whichever is later.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 939.74 (2) (ap) of the statutes is created to read:
939.74 (2) (ap) A prosecution under s. 940.11 (2) may be commenced within
the applicable time under sub. (1) or within 6 years of the date the corpse was discovered or identified, whichever is later.
Section 2. Initial applicability.
(1) Notwithstanding s. 990.06, this act first applies to an act for which the time limitation under s. 939.74 (1) for prosecution has not expired as of the effective date of this subsection.
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